How to Spot a Bad Magician Before They Ruin Your Wedding
Andy Field is a professional magician, offering table top magic, sleight of hand illusions, mind reading and more, for a variety of occasions. Over the years Andy has built a strong global following, boasting over 20,000,000 views on his YouTube channel and an array of reviews across multiple platforms. Having amassed experience as a wedding magician, party magician & close up magician, Andy is seen as one of the industries most tried and tested professional magicians.
The Warning Signs Every Event Planner Should Know
Any one can call themselves a Swindon magician so you need to educate yourself so you can avoid a bad entertainer who can embarrass you or your guests
You’ve booked the venue.
The invitations are out.
The DJ is ready.
The cake has been ordered (hopefully one that's more "masterpiece" than "Pinterest disaster").
Now you're looking for entertainment.
You type "wedding magician near me" or "best close-up magician" into Google and suddenly... hundreds of magicians appear.
Every single one claims to be "amazing."
Every website says they're "award-winning."
Everyone promises to leave your guests speechless.
So how do you separate a genuinely professional magician from someone who bought a deck of cards last Tuesday and now calls themselves "The Great Whatsit"?
Don't worry—we're here to help.
This guide is packed with practical advice, a few laughs, and plenty of tips to help you choose a professional wedding magician who will make your event unforgettable... for the right reasons.
Not Every Magician Is the Same
Here's a secret.
Owning a pack of playing cards doesn't make someone a professional sleight of hand magician.
That's a bit like buying a frying pan and calling yourself a Michelin-star chef.
Professional magic isn't just about tricks.
It's about entertaining people.
It's about reading a room.
Plus making guests laugh, relax and enjoy themselves.
A great magician doesn't just fool people.
They create memories.
The "Look at Me!" Magician
We've all met one.
The magician who believes they're the star of your wedding.
They interrupt conversations.
They speak louder than the DJ.
Somehow they manage to turn every story back to themselves.
Your wedding should always be about the bride and groom—not the magician.
A professional entertainer understands they're there to enhance your day, not steal the spotlight.
The Silent Magician
Believe it or not, some magicians perform almost without speaking.
They silently produce a card.
Silently make it disappear.
Silently wait for applause.
Silence...
More silence...
Someone coughs.
A waiter drops a spoon.
It's awkward.
Close-up magic isn't just about sleight of hand.
It's about personality, humour and creating a connection with your guests.
People remember how you made them feel just as much as the magic itself.
The Magician Who Blames the Audience
Every performer has the occasional trick that doesn't go exactly to plan.
Professional entertainers smile, laugh it off and move on.
An inexperienced magician might say...
"You moved."
"You were standing in the wrong place."
"My cards are slippery today."
"The lighting isn't right."
"It's because Mercury is in retrograde..."
Your guests shouldn't feel like they've accidentally broken the laws of magic.
Reviews Tell You More Than Fancy Advertising
A flashy website is nice.
Professional photographs are nice.
A logo is nice.
But genuine reviews are worth their weight in gold.
When looking for a wedding magician, read what previous couples actually say.
Do they mention that the magician was reliable?
Did guests laugh?
Everyone talked about the magic for months!
Did the magician arrive on time, dress professionally and put everyone at ease?
These are the things that matter.
Why So Many Couples Choose Andy Field
With more than 20 years of professional experience, Andy Field has performed at weddings, corporate events and private parties across Gloucestershire and beyond.
Couples regularly praise his relaxed style, quick wit and astonishing close-up magic.
Many reviews mention that guests were still talking about the magic long after the wedding had finished.
Others highlight his professionalism, reliability and ability to entertain guests of all ages without ever taking attention away from the happy couple.
Those are exactly the qualities you should look for when choosing a magician.
Beware of "Too Good to Be True"
We've all seen the advert:
"World's Greatest Magician. Available this Saturday. £49 including travel, fireworks, three tigers and a free balloon dog."
If something sounds too good to be true, it usually is.
Quality entertainment is an investment.
You're not simply paying for an hour or two of magic.
You're paying for years of experience, thousands of performances, professionalism, preparation and the confidence that your guests will have an incredible time.
Choosing purely on price can sometimes end up being the most expensive decision of all—especially if the entertainment falls flat on one of the most important days of your life.
The Magician Who Uses the Same Three Tricks for Everyone
Imagine this.
The first group is amazed.
The second group is impressed.
By the fifth group, half the room has already seen exactly the same routine.
By the eighth group, guests are whispering...
"Don't tell me... is it the one with the red card?"
A professional wedding magician knows how to vary performances throughout the day. Different groups, different personalities and different moments deserve different magic. It keeps the experience fresh and gives guests something new to talk about.
Reading the Room Is a Skill
One of the biggest differences between an experienced magician and an inexperienced one is knowing how to read people.
Some guests love being the centre of attention.
Others would rather hide behind the flower arrangement.
A professional like Andy Field quickly recognises who wants to get involved and who prefers to watch. Nobody is embarrassed or pressured. Everyone is included at a level they're comfortable with.
That's why experienced performers receive so many glowing reviews—they make people feel relaxed as well as amazed.
The "Can I Borrow £20?" Joke...
Most magicians have heard every joke imaginable.
"Can you make my wife disappear?"
"Can you make my mortgage disappear?"
"How about you make my mother-in-law disappear?"
(For legal reasons... the answer is no!)
A good magician laughs with the guests and keeps the atmosphere fun. A bad magician rolls their eyes, looks irritated or repeats the same tired replies they've used for years.
Great entertainment is about connecting with people, not simply performing tricks.
Professionalism Starts Before the Magic
The performance doesn't begin when the first card appears.
It begins the moment you make your enquiry.
Did the magician reply promptly?
Were they friendly?
Did they answer your questions clearly?
Did they explain how the day would work?
Professionalism before the event usually means professionalism on the day itself.
Appearance Matters
Imagine opening the venue doors and your magician arrives wearing scruffy trainers, a crumpled shirt and looking as though they've just lost a fight with a hedge.
Not ideal.
A professional magician dresses to suit your event, blending in with your guests while looking smart and approachable.
Your wedding photographs are forever. You want every supplier to look the part.
Experience Brings Confidence
There's a huge difference between practising a trick in the mirror and performing for 120 wedding guests.
Experienced magicians know how to handle interruptions.
They know how to deal with noisy rooms.
They know how to adapt if the schedule changes.
If the wedding breakfast runs late or the photographer needs a few extra minutes, an experienced entertainer simply adjusts without fuss.
That's one of the reasons couples appreciate working with someone like Andy Field, who has spent more than two decades entertaining at weddings and events.
Genuine Reviews Matter
Before booking any wedding supplier, spend time reading their reviews.
Look for comments such as:
- "Everyone loved the magic."
- "Our guests are still talking about it."
- "Professional from start to finish."
- "Fantastic communication."
- "Arrived early and put everyone at ease."
- "One of the best decisions we made."
When dozens—or even hundreds—of people independently say similar things, that's a strong sign you're choosing someone you can trust.
Reviews aren't just stars on a screen; they're stories from real couples who wanted their wedding to be unforgettable.
The Best Compliment a Magician Can Receive
The greatest compliment isn't applause.
It isn't someone saying, "You're clever."
It's hearing a guest ask for your business card because they're planning their own wedding, party or corporate event.
That means you've done more than perform magic—you've created an experience people want to share.
For Andy Field, recommendations and repeat bookings have become a huge part of his success, and that's only possible when guests leave smiling, laughing and wondering how on earth the impossible just happened.
Cheap Can End Up Being Expensive
Everyone loves saving money.
But your wedding or special event probably isn't the best place to discover that "bargain entertainment" wasn't such a bargain after all.
Imagine hearing these words on the morning of your wedding...
"Sorry, my car won't start."
"I've double-booked."
"I forgot."
Not exactly confidence-inspiring.
A professional magician values reliability just as highly as the performance itself. They arrive early, dress professionally, communicate clearly and make your day run more smoothly—not more stressfully.
Questions to Ask Before Booking a Magician
Before making your decision, ask a few simple questions:
- How many weddings have you performed at?
- Can I read your recent reviews?
- Are you fully insured?
- How long have you been performing professionally?
- What happens if timings change on the day?
- What type of magic do you perform?
- Can you entertain guests during the drinks reception and wedding breakfast?
A professional will be happy to answer every one of them.
Why Couples Choose Andy Field
When you're booking entertainment, experience matters.
Andy Field has spent more than 20 years entertaining guests at weddings, corporate events and private parties throughout Gloucestershire and across the UK.
His style isn't about shouting, showing off or making the day all about him.
Instead, he blends naturally with your guests, creating laughter, amazement and unforgettable moments wherever he performs.
From impossible card magic to mind reading and astonishing sleight of hand, Andy's performances are designed to leave guests asking the same question...
"How did he do that?"
Reviews Speak Louder Than Advertising
Any magician can tell you they're brilliant.
The real proof comes from the people who've already booked them.
That's why reading reviews is one of the smartest things you can do before choosing your entertainment.
Couples regularly praise Andy for:
- Being friendly and approachable.
- Making guests laugh from the very first performance.
- Incredible close-up magic.
- Professional communication.
- Reliability.
- Creating memories that guests still talk about long after the wedding.
When dozens—or even hundreds—of people say the same thing, that's far more valuable than the fanciest advert.
Frequently Asked Questions
H3: How long should a wedding magician perform?
Most couples book close-up magic for the drinks reception, wedding breakfast, evening reception, or a combination of these.
H3: Will everyone get to see the magic?
Yes. A professional close-up magician moves around your guests, performing for small groups so everyone enjoys the experience.
H3: Is close-up magic suitable for all ages?
Absolutely. Children, teenagers, adults and grandparents all enjoy interactive magic, and reactions from adults are often the funniest!
H3: Why are reviews important when booking a magician?
Reviews give you confidence that the magician is reliable, professional and consistently entertains guests to a high standard.
Final Thoughts
Choosing a magician isn't just about booking someone who knows a few tricks.
It's about choosing someone who can make strangers become friends, fill quiet moments with laughter and give your guests memories they'll still be talking about years later.
If you're looking for a professional wedding magician, close-up magician or party magician with years of experience, outstanding reviews and a reputation for amazing audiences, Andy Field has built that reputation one performance at a time.
After all, anyone can buy a deck of cards.
Making an entire room laugh, gasp and applaud...
That takes experience.
And perhaps just a little bit of magic.
Magician Worcester Magician Stratford Upton Avon Magician Northampton Magician Hereford
